5K winner also handles the half marathon

Not in the reality television sense with living quarters in an underground bunker, 45 five-gallon jugs of water lining the walls and 28 cases of Campbell’s baked beans adorning the floor.

Minnema initially got into running in his hometown of Grand Rapids because of those instincts.

“I was 4-11, 85 pounds when I got into high school, “ said Minnema, who attended Grand Rapids Union High. “My dad played semi-pro football, but my size is why I got into running.”

Minnema is a now a professional triathlete. He finished first overall in the 5k race at Let’s Move Festival of Races held in Mount Clemens Saturday.

After some brief conversation afterwards, he excused himself.

“Sorry, I have to change my shirt and go run the half-marathon now,” he said apologetically.

Saturday’s festivities began with an opening ceremony at 8 a.m. Fifteen minutes later, the 5k run got underway and 10 minutes after that came the 5k walk. The half marathon kicked off at 8:55, and a River Walk was held at 9. The Children’s Last Mile Run started at 1:30.

Deep-seated resolveThe Couch To 5k Club. That was emblazoned on their T-shirts.

While that admonishment was not exactly the La-Z-Boy scenario for Dean Freck, 55, of Clinton Township, it was close enough.

He signed up for the eight-week Couch to 5k training program offered by the parks and recreation department in Clinton Township. He also registered Shannon, his 11-year-old daughter.

“When I first started, I could barely run around the block in the neighborhood,” said Dean Freck. “I’ve gotten to where I can run two miles and that is something I have never been able to do in my life.”

Something else he had never done was complete a 5k (3.1 miles) through a combination of running and walking. That was the sizeable accomplishment Saturday.

“We were going to run together, but Shannon took off on me about ¼ mile into it,” said Dean Freck, chuckling.

Shannon completed the run in about 32 minutes. Her dad followed roughly five minutes behind.

“Why did I start the Couch to 5k program?” echoed Dean Freck. “Because I am 55 and I have an 11-year-old daughter, that is why.”

Pace makers“I set the pace and he followed,” said Chris Menominee, smiling.

That pretty much summed up the debut performance of Menominee of St. Ignace and his buddy, Tim Poikey of Warren.

The two got involved in Saturday’s event due to the urging of Menominee’s wife, Jamie.

“I’m a runner and initially I was going to do the half-marathon with a friend, but as things turned out, she could not make it today,” said Jamie Menominee.

Menominee works in the freight department for Shepler’s Ferry in Mackinaw City. Poikey is in shipping and receiving in the Detroit area.

Following the Festival of Races, they were all headed to Comerica Park to see the Tigers take on the Atlanta Braves. Prior to the game, their rest stop was going to be the Buffalo Wild Wings that recently opened on Randolph Street .

“How do I feel about my first 5k? Ask me after a couple of beers,” said Menominee.

Smoke signalsA furtive cigarette smoked by the campfire.

“I had been trying to quit smoking for some time. We were on a camping trip and my son, Castor, who was seven at the time, came out of the trailer and saw me smoking. That was it. I had the quit.

That incident occurred a handful of years ago. It was also the impetus to acquire a much healthier habit and that is running. On Saturday, Jason Peddycord of Pinckney completed the half-marathon (13.1) miles in 1:51, beating his previous best time by four and a half minutes.

“It feels great,” said Peddycord, 47. That was his assessment despite a heavily bandaged left knee.

“I just started physical therapy for my knee. It started floating to the right. It began happening during a casual run a couple of months ago. It was not a sharp pain; it was more like a dull ache but I knew I had to do something about it.”

Peddycord has done about six half-marathons. He completed the Detroit Free Press marathon last October. It was his first time doing the 26.2 mile distance.

“I’m not sure I would do that again. My dad used to run marathons, and he met me on his bicycle at about the 18-mile mark. Believe me, having him there really helped.”

Castor Peddycord would undoubtedly say the same thing. Having Dad around is a real blessing.